Reuben ready to bring the heat
REUBEN Cotter is ready to play his most aggressive game yet, and the young front rower is not shying from the possibility of another big-minute performance against the Eels.
Cotter’s 83-minute effort against the Sharks in week one of the finals was only the second time he has played 80 for the Cowboys this year.
The 23-year-old said playing a full game on Friday night was definitely a possibility.
“The last time we played (Parramatta) in Darwin I got a full game out, and anything can happen now with the way the rotation is,” he said.
“I’m excited for the game and hopefully it’s a packed out stadium.”
Cotter said the key to stopping the colossal Parramatta forwards, headlined by Junior Paulo and Reagan CampbellGillard, was to get in their faces early and aggressively.
“It’s something that we’ve been working on over the past
few weeks and it’s been working well for us,” he said.
“We know when we come out with that aggression and start fast, it helps us a lot.
“We’ve got to do a good job to handle them aggressively, and it’s getting hot up here, too, so hopefully the heat comes on Friday night.”
The two-week preparation has allowed the team to relax with family, and Mackay-born Cotter will have about a dozen family members in attendance.
He said it was a big plus
spending the fortnight at home, and had even allowed the young forward to try his hand at some gardening.
“I’ve just started (gardening) actually, I’ve tried a few different things: watermelon, pumpkin, zucchini, squash,” Cotter said.
“Playing in Townsville, we get to go home to our families and we’ve got the massive crowd and the passionate supporters here to support us on Friday night, so it’s going to be a big advantage.”